Losing a loved one is never easy, and honoring a veteran's service adds an important responsibility. Veteran burial benefits recognize their sacrifices, but navigating these benefits can feel overwhelming for those who are unfamiliar.
If you’re a veteran or the family of a veteran looking to learn more about burial benefits, our essential guide is here to help. We’ll explain what benefits veterans and their families receive for burials, how to apply for benefits, and more.
Veteran burial benefits provide military families with financial and logistical support while offering the honor and dignity veterans deserve from their service. Veteran burial benefits come in multiple forms, from allowances to help pay for the burial to cemetery options and military honors.
This is a monetary benefit The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers to help families cover the costs of a qualifying veteran’s funeral. This financial assistance can go toward funeral expenses, burial plots, or transportation of remains. There are specific qualifications to determine eligibility. That information is available here: https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/.
While these allowances may not cover the entire cost, they are meant to alleviate some of the financial burden. Families must apply for these funds, and the VA typically reimburses expenses rather than paying them upfront, so it’s best to apply for them as soon as possible.
Veterans and eligible family members can receive burial rights in a VA national cemetery at no cost. This includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, and a government-furnished marker or headstone. VA national cemeteries offer a serene and respectful resting place, surrounded by others who share a commitment to serving their country.
Families can also consider state veterans cemeteries, which may be closer to home for loved ones and more comforting than a national cemetery. While eligibility requirements and costs may vary by state, these cemeteries often offer similar honors, such as gravesites, perpetual care, and government-furnished markers or headstones. Veterans and families should check with their state veteran’s cemetery for specific details.
For those who prefer a private cemetery, some benefits still apply. Although the VA does not cover private cemetery costs, families may request headstones, medallions, or burial flags, as well as military honors to commemorate the veteran's service.
Veterans are eligible to receive government-provided headstones or medallions to commemorate their service and sacrifice. Veterans and their families may choose to place these commemorations at any final resting place, whether it’s a national cemetery, private cemetery, or other burial location, and the VA provides these free of charge. However, depending on the location, there may be installation charges.
These markers serve as enduring symbols of gratitude, honoring the individual's commitment to their country. Families can personalize the inscription, choosing details such as military rank, branch of service, dates of birth and death, special military awards, or religious symbols to reflect their loved one’s legacy.
Veterans and families may also choose to drape the casket or urn of the deceased in an American burial flag, symbolizing the nation’s deep gratitude for their service. During the ceremony, the honor guards will fold the flag into a triangle and present it to the next of kin as a keepsake.
If the service also includes military honors, the honor guard will conduct a solemn farewell, which often consists of a rendition of Taps, a 24-note bugle call, as a tribute to the deceased. Families can arrange for military honors through their funeral director or directly with the Department of Defense.
One of the most personal tributes available to families of veterans is the Presidential Memorial Certificate. This certificate, signed by the current President of the United States, honors the memory of veterans who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Families can request multiple copies of this certificate to share this meaningful keepsake with other loved ones. The certificate, combined with the President's signature, makes it a cherished item that families can display or preserve in memory of their veterans. Families can request these certificates through the VA or as part of the burial benefits process.
Veterans who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces are typically eligible for burial benefits; however, not all veterans qualify for the monetary burial allowance. More information regarding eligibility for this particular benefit can be found here, https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/.
Active-duty service members, members of the Selected Reserve, certain eligible family members, and some veterans who served with specific criteria qualify, too.
Eligibility can also include reservists and National Guard members who served full terms or were discharged honorably. Families often need to provide military service documentation, such as the DD-214 form, which proves the individual’s discharge status and service details.
Our essential guide to veteran burial benefits will also explain how families can apply for these government-provided benefits. The process is relatively straightforward and should only take a few minutes with the right documentation. If your veteran qualifies for the VA Burial Allowance, the below steps will guide you in the process.
Start by collecting all the necessary paperwork. The most crucial document is the DD-214 discharge document or other proof of military service to confirm eligibility. You’ll also need:
Families of veterans shouldn’t proceed with the application and filling out forms until they have all these documents in their possession.
All the forms a family needs to apply for the burial benefits are available online at the VA’s website. Family members may also visit their local VA office and ask for these forms in person. This is also a good choice if families have questions about burial benefits and would like to speak to a VA expert.
Upon completion of all the application forms, families can submit them either online, hand them in to the VA office, or have a funeral director submit them on their behalf. As many of the payment benefits are reimbursements, families should apply as soon as they can for a speedy repayment of their expenses.
If the process feels overwhelming, help is available. Funeral homes, veteran service organizations, and VA representatives are ready to provide guidance and support during this challenging time.
At Henry Funeral Home, we can help you apply for and submit for burial benefits as part of our funeral services. We’ll ask you whether you’d like to pursue burial benefits for the deceased and then help you through the process of the application and reimbursement.
Planning a funeral for a veteran involves additional steps to secure benefits and military honors. Families should work closely with their funeral director to address wishes for honors, benefits applications, and burial locations. Funeral directors can ensure complete, on-time paperwork and act as advocates throughout the process.
Planning a veteran’s funeral is a sacred task, and Henry Funeral Home is here to help ease the burden. We guide families through accessing veteran burial benefits, coordinating military honors, and delivering compassionate, personalized services to ensure we honor loved one’s legacy with dignity. For support or assistance in planning a meaningful farewell, contact us today.
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